MADISON, Wis. — Madison officials have notified the Social Justice Center that the city may file a public nuisance lawsuit unless problems around the property are addressed, setting up a potential legal fight over safety concerns and access to essential services. Assistant City Attorney Jennifer Zilavy said the city’s notice of intent cites violent incidents, suspected illegal drug use, public health concerns and a rise in complaints from nearby residents. The city is preparing a complaint for Dane County Circuit Court, but officials say the center still has an opportunity to resolve the issues voluntarily. “The goal of the city is not to close the Social Justice Center,” Zilavy said. “It’s truly just to abate the nuisance.” Zilavy said concerns about the property have been on her radar for about two years, following more sporadic problems in earlier years. She identified activity outside the building and in its parking lot as a major concern, including fights, shouting, urination and defecation on private property. She said the city is not objecting to people spending time outside the center peacefully. The concern, she said, is disruptive or dangerous conduct that affects neighbors, businesses, center users and employees. Madison regularly pursues nuisance cases involving properties such as apartment buildings, bars and private homes, Zilavy said. In many cases, the city works with property owners on an abatement plan before seeking court intervention. “Every property owner has a duty to control their property,” she said, adding that owners must manage properties so they do not create safety problems or become a nuisance for surrounding neighborhoods. People who use the center’s services said they recognize that a small number of people cause problems but fear those incidents could overshadow the broader role of the facility. Bradley Osborn said “bad actors” can lead neighbors to associate all center users with disruptive behavior. Osborn uses the center’s food pantry, which operates two days a week. Zach Showers said he receives housing assistance there and relies on a nurse at the center to schedule medical appointments and provide transportation to many of them. The center also provides food, clothing, computers, internet access and other support. “These are the only individuals that help me with those services,” Showers said of the center’s housing assistance. “Without that, I wouldn’t have the ability to get housing like many people here.” Osborn and Showers said some people gather at the property without using its services, and they want that behavior addressed without putting the entire center at risk. They also questioned whether legal action against the property would solve the underlying problems, arguing that disruptive activity could simply move to another neighborhood. The city said it understands the larger challenges involving homelessness and the need for low-barrier community services. But Zilavy said those needs do not eliminate the city’s responsibility to respond to violence and other conduct affecting the surrounding area. The Social Justice Center declined an interview request. Zilavy said she spoke with the center’s board president and described the conversation as positive, with the board expressing interest in working with the city. If the reported problems are resolved before the city completes and files its complaint, Zilavy said the lawsuit would not need to proceed.